Bowen Hills

Researchers are evaluating a combined therapy using allogeneic cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific T cells and pembrolizumab for patients with glioblastoma multiforme or astrocytoma grade 4, which are aggressive types of brain cancer. The study aims to determine the best dose and safety of these treatments and to assess their impact on tumor response and patient survival in both recurrent and newly diagnosed cases. This is a Phase I/II, multi-center, open-label trial conducted in two parts: dose escalation and expansion phases. In Part 1, participants receive escalating doses of CMV-specific T cells alone or combined with a fixed dose of pembrolizumab to find the recommended dose. Part 2 includes two groups of 20 participants each, with either newly diagnosed or recurrent disease, receiving either the T cells alone or combined with pembrolizumab. After screening, participants receive four weekly infusions of the T cells followed by up to 18 pembrolizumab infusions every six weeks, starting about one week after the last T-cell infusion. The total study participation lasts around 26 months. Participants will be closely monitored through imaging scans to evaluate tumor response, progression-free survival, overall survival, and treatment safety. Researchers will track adverse events, lab results, vital signs, and heart function within 49 days of the first dose. Long-term outcomes including complete or partial tumor responses, disease stability, and survival are assessed over 25 months. The study includes regular clinical visits and assessments to understand treatment effects and tolerability for each participant.

Researchers are evaluating whether offering a rapid finger-prick screening test for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) exposure before a diagnostic test can increase testing, diagnosis, and treatment rates among adults at risk for HCV infection. This observational study focuses on people recruited from settings that serve individuals with risk factors for acquiring Hepatitis C. The main goal is to determine the proportion of participants diagnosed with HCV who start treatment within 12 weeks after diagnosis. Participants will have one in-person visit where they provide informed consent and undergo a finger-prick rapid screening test for Hepatitis C antibodies. Those with no prior Hepatitis C infection will be screened for immune response to the virus. Participants with a positive screening result or previous infection history will receive a diagnostic test for Hepatitis C at the same visit. The study does not provide treatment; those diagnosed will be referred to standard care services for further assessment and treatment. During the study, researchers will review participant records 12 weeks after their Hepatitis C test to collect data on treatment initiation. The key outcome measured is the proportion of participants with confirmed infection who begin treatment within 12 weeks of diagnosis. This study helps understand how point-of-care testing impacts the diagnosis and treatment pathway for Hepatitis C in adults.